Hyster-Yale is a prominent, internationally integrated, full-line lift truck manufacturer that provides a wide range of solutions to fulfill the specific goods handling requirements of clients’ applications. The spirit of invention remains alive and well, with the goal of bringing new and improved technology to market. This involves the use of hydrogen fuel cell technology as well as the development of a new generation of electric trucks.

The electrification of the empty container handling truck series is one of the department’s goals. This vehicle is intended to carry two empty containers weighing up to 2 times 5.5 tons and stack nine containers high (19m) for maximum space utilization at crowded container terminals and ports.

Goal

The project goal is to re-engineer the mast (front end) to be electrically driven in order to raise empty containers (vertical motion) utilizing cutting-edge electromechanical actuators. The project requires a team of varied educational backgrounds to undertake requirement analysis, design, and virtual validation in order to provide the following parts of the project:

• Defining the functional requirements
• Integration Concepts of the selected actuator to the mast design and the interface to the truck
• Choosing a concept, FMEA
• Virtual validation – KPIs (Performance, Reliability, Durability)
• Study of benefits towards: Automation, Predictive and preventive maintenance, Energy efficiency and regeneration, Cost/Benefit
• 3D modelling and integration
• Prototyping, Manufacturability feasibility analysis

Various arrangements had to be made with our teacher and Hyster-Yale to establish a final notion that could then be further examined and improved on through comparisons of different conceptions. Following multiple demonstrations of the benefits and drawbacks of the various systems, it was decided to further examine the rack and pinion system with Hyster-Yale. This was determined mostly due to the uniqueness of the product on the market and its similarity to the present hydraulic mast. As a result, a more thorough design of the linear actuator system was created.

The team will present a 3D model and integration of the re-engineered lifting mast with Manufacturability feasibility study at the conclusion of the project. Hyster-Yale will evaluate our advice report and may begin further development if it is a better option than the present system. In the near future, we may see our design driving and lifting containers at ports.

Automotive Engineering Students involved:

• Iliyan Yordanov – Business Management
• Jeffrey Coumans – Structural Design
• Maarten van der Ziel – Manufacturing
• Nikolay Donchevski – Vehicle and Control
• Patrick Hülkenberg – Manufacturing
• Plamen Avramov – Powertrain
• Roy Diepman – Structural Design
• Tom van Vreden – Business Management
• Yasen Georgiev – Powertrain

Source: HAN